Monday, June 20, 2011

I'll be the first to admit, I have never had an interest in owning an iPad. It's nothing against the product, I just couldn't imagine typing e-mails, blogging, etc. on an iPad. So what else would I need it for? Surfing the internet, duh! I have an HP netbook that I purchased close to two years ago, which I have really enjoyed. I love its compact size and light weight which makes it easy to transport and travel with yet it still has all the functionality of a laptop. Well all this changed on Friday...

I won an iPad at work about a month ago and it literally has been in the box up until Friday. I even told Thomas that he could have it because I didn't want it. He should have taken it when I offered because within minutes of setting it up and surfing the web, I was in heaven and wondering what took me so long to open the box! The iPad is amazing and I can't tell you how much more enjoyable it is to surf the web on it than my netbook!

I still enjoy blogging from my netbook and if I have work to do I use my work laptop, but for typing e-mails and surfing the web I chose my iPad. Although I am new to the iPad world, I am not new to Apple. I've had my iPhone4 for almost a year now and I swore before I purchased it, I would never give up on Blackberry, boy was I wrong! I'm hooked on Apple products and I don't think that will ever change.

All this being said, I need your help! I obviously need and want to purchase a screen protector and case for my iPad. I have an the Commuter Otterbox case on my iPhone which I love and I have a super thick screen protector from AT&T that has eliminated all types of scratches. I know Otterbox makes the Commuter case for the iPad, but I nervous about the screen not having a cover to protect it other than the thin screen protector Otterbox sends you with the case.

Do you all have any recommendations? Stylish yet protective and functional is ideal, but I can do away with the stylish part for something good quality!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Here's a long lost recipe that I haven't made in just as long as the Grilled Chicken with Spinach & Pine Nut Pesto recipe I shared with you last week. Anyways, that's not the point, the point is this a deliciously light salad that is perfect year around, however I am sharing the it now because I think it's the perfect recipe for the warmer months since it's very light and tangy, I hope you enjoy!

Monday, June 13, 2011

It's my favorite time of the year, especially for fruit! With the temperatures already reaching the upper 90's I spend most of my Summer months craving chilled thirst quenching fruit. My favorites include watermelon, blueberries, raspberries, cantaloupe & fresh cherries. I can eat a pint of blueberries in one sitting and the same goes for raspberries! I love nothing more than having a seedless watermelon cut up in a bowl in the frig to snack on whenever I want. If you couldn't already tell, Summer is by far my favorite fruit season! Time to dig in and stay hydrated.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Have y'all hear about Matchbook Magazine? I just happened to stumble upon Matchbook Mag when surfing the internet over the weekend and I absolutely love what Matchbook Mag & Matchbook Girls are all about!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Matchbook Mag, it's an online monthly lifestyle magazine that was first launched in January 2011. Matchbook Mag is described as "a field guide to a charmed life." After reading my first and their latest issue I was instantly hooked, I didn't want the end to come! The magazine does a great job of reeling you in and inspiring its reader to "design a life they adore."

Hop on over to Matchbook to read their most recent issue, I promise you will be inspired and hooked starting with page 1! You can also stay connected with the Matchbook girls through tumblr, twitter, and their blog, The Daily Spark. Enjoy!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

It's time I decided what my next read is going to be. Not knowing much about the Pioneer Woman other than a few of her delicious recipes, I was interested in learning more about what her life is like as the Pioneer Woman, so I thought this would be my chance. I've heard many good things about this book on other blogs, so I can't wait to get started!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Over the weekend I came across the "tastebook" I created when Thomas and I first started dating. I was in my last year of college and Thomas had graduated and was working full-time. Even back then we enjoyed watching food network for inspiration, finding new recipes to try, and of course making dinner together. One of Thomas' favorite recipes that he still remembers 4 years later is Grilled Chicken with Spinach and Pine Nut Pesto. I haven't made it since, but I remember us both raving about how delicious it was, so I thought I would share it with y'all!

Heat a grill pan on medium high heat. Lightly oil the grill pan. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.

Combine the spinach, pine nuts, lemon juice, and lemon peel in a processor. Lightly pulse. With the machine running, gradually add ⅓ cup of the oil, blending until the mixture is creamy. Add salt and pulse. Put half of the pesto into ice cube trays and store in the freezer for future use.

Transfer the rest of the spinach mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in the Parmesan. Season the pesto with salt and pepper, to taste.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Do you know what anagrams are? I didn't until I received an e-mail last week titled "amazing anagrams." Definition of Anagrams: words or phrases made by mixing up the letters of other words or phrases. I was amazed with these anagrams that I just had to share! On a side note, someone out there must be "deadly" at Scrabble!

About Me

I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland where I lived until I moved to Columbia, SC to attend college at the University of South Carolina. I enjoyed living in the South so much during college I decided to stay. I love everything about the Southern way of life, style, traditions, and cuisine. I enjoy traveling, decorating, shoppping, cooking, & baking. I have been eastablishing myself on my own for the past two years and would like to share my journey with you.